Crankcase ventilation.

Woody500 said

Excess crankcase pressure might cause the small leak at the bolt or VC gasket , & resealing will help of course, but another leak might then take its place if PCV system off.

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I think my first step is to get the crankcase ventilation back to a functional set up, eliminate one of the variables. The current oil filter set up is plumbed from the rear 90deg adaptor forward to the front of the block with rigid pipes, I’ll take a picture tomorrow. On the principal that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, I’m going to leave it as is for the time being.